Notebook : Rogers out until All-Star game
Kenny Rogers is out until at least the All-Star break, leaving the Detroit Tigers to defend their American League pennant without one of their top pitchers.
Two days after saying his arm felt tired, Rogers had surgery Friday to remove a blood clot from his left shoulder and repair arteries.
When the Tigers put Rogers on the disabled list Thursday, Chad Durbin became their fifth starter behind Jeremy Bonderman, Justin Verlander, Nate Robertson and Mike Maroth. Durbin was 0-0 with a 1.50 ERA in three relief appearances with Detroit last year.
Rogers, a 42-year-old left-hander, was flown to Baylor University in Texas, where Dr. Greg Pearl performed the surgery. Rogers is expected to start throwing in six to eight weeks.
Guillen gets extension
Shortstop Carlos Guillen and Detroit agreed to a $48 million, four-year contract extension. Guillen hit .320 last year with 19 homers, 85 RBIs, 41 doubles and 100 runs scored.
Ticket prices rise slightly
Baseball’s major league ticket price average is $22.69 this season, up 2.5 percent from last year’s average of $22.14.
Boston has the highest average for the 10th straight season, going up 2.7 percent to $47.71.
Clearing the bases
Carl Pavano will be the New York Yankees’ opening-day starter after two long, injury-filled seasons have led to ridicule from fans and even some of his teammates questioning his desire to pitch. … C.C. Sabathia threw 50 pitches in a bullpen session and pronounced himself fit to keep his starting assignment for Cleveland on opening day. … Colorado purchased the contracts of outfielder Steve Finley and utility player John Mabry from the minor leagues. … Baltimore left fielder Jay Payton probably will start the season on the disabled list because of a strained left hamstring. … The Los Angeles Angels have completed three triple plays in spring training. Only six times since 1900 has a team completed that many during an entire regular season. … Boston icon Johnny Pesky, who has been with the club for 57 years, will have to leave the dugout during games this season because of a major league rule that limits the number of coaches allowed in uniform. … Dan Kolb, a former All-Star closer with Milwaukee, was reassigned to Pittsburgh’s minor league camp. … Four days after being released by San Diego, infielder Todd Walker agreed to a minor league contract with Oakland.